Award

ARE-Agronomic Trials for Value for Cultivation and Use - Herbage Trials North East Scotland

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government, located in Glasgow, has completed a procurement process titled "ARE-Agronomic Trials for Value for Cultivation and Use – Herbage Trials North East Scotland." This contract pertains to the general public services industry category and involves the provision of services for conducting agronomic trials. The procurement was facilitated through an open procedure, focusing on testing agricultural and experimental developments for specific varieties suited to Scotland’s climatic conditions. The contract, valued at £200,000, was awarded to SRUC, a large-scale supplier, and the award was signed on 28th July 2025. The associated trials will be carried out in North East Scotland and follow protocols approved by the UK National Authorities, with a contract period extending until the end of 2032.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specializing in agricultural research and development, who are equipped to handle specific trials such as Italian and Hybrid Ryegrass and Red Clover. Firms with a strong background in supply chain management, environmental compliance, and the requisite equipment to conduct trials will find this contract aligned with their capabilities. The open procurement process, coupled with a focus on economic and technical criteria, allows eligible businesses to demonstrate their compliance with environmental management standards and qualifications, fostering competitiveness and fostering innovation within the agricultural sector in Scotland.

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Notice Title

ARE-Agronomic Trials for Value for Cultivation and Use - Herbage Trials North East Scotland

Notice Description

The Scottish Government, SASA Division, has awarded a contract for the provision of Agronomic Trials for Value for Cultivation and Use - Herbage Trials North East Scotland.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The purpose of the Agronomic Trials for Value for Cultivation and Use - Herbage Trials North East Scotland is to obtain Scottish data for UK Variety List (VL) Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) assessments / Scottish Recommended List (RL) purposes, which includes the provision of advice to the Scottish Ministers. The UK Variety List (VL) system was established in 1973 when EU Directives dealing with the marketing of agricultural and vegetable seeds were implemented in domestic legislation. To be added to a Variety List a new variety needs to be distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and for agricultural crops, have satisfactory value for cultivation and use (VCU). The information from VCU trials allow a number of varieties (on a national basis) to go forward for further trialling (Recommended List (RL)). It is the data from RL trials that provides enough information to identify if a new variety is suited to Scotland's geographical/climatic conditions. The trials will be carried out in accordance with the appropriate protocols and procedures approved by the UK National Authorities for herbage, which for the purpose of this contract are Italian Ryegrass, Hybrid Ryegrass, and Red Clover and any other species or species group specified by the National List Seeds Committee/UK National Authorities. These protocols and procedures will form part of any contract placed and are available online at the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vcu-protocols-and-procedures-for-testing-agricultural-crops. This procurement is excluded from the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) under Regulation 15 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 for Research & Development Services (Main CPV code - 73100000: Research and experimental development services).

Options: The number of candidates per herb species and the number of controls, replicates and treatments for each trial are given in the appropriate VCU Procedures Document. These are subject to change and may require additional trials to be purchased during the contract term.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000792982
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG536241
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services


CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

77100000 - Agricultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2025 - 31 Dec 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Additional Buyers

SRUC

Contact Name
Head of Procurement
Contact Email
david.rogerson2@gov.scot, procurement@sruc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1315354000

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
N/A
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SRUC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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